The Role of Government Structure in the Emergence of Crimes Against Humanity

Abstract

Crimes against humanity are regarded as among the most significant international crimes, the commission of which generally occurs within the context of specific political and governmental structures. The present study aims to examine the role of government structure in the emergence and expansion of crimes against humanity through a criminological and international criminal law approach. This research was conducted using a descriptive–analytical method based on library resources and international legal documents. The findings indicate that certain structural characteristics of governments, including the concentration of power in authoritarian systems, the dominance of discriminatory ideologies, the emergence of crises of political legitimacy, and the adoption of discriminatory economic policies, constitute some of the most influential factors in the formation of crimes against humanity. These factors, through weakening supervisory mechanisms, legitimizing violence, suppressing opposition groups, and generating structural violence against social groups, create the conditions for widespread or systematic attacks against civilian populations. The results of the study demonstrate that any analysis of crimes against humanity without considering the political and institutional structures of governments would remain incomplete. Therefore, the effective prevention of such crimes requires strengthening the rule of law, ensuring the independence of judicial institutions, expanding democratic oversight over political power, and promoting human rights values within systems of governance.